I'd think that a smaller bit would be better... maybe 1/32 or 1/64" bit. Personally, though - I used an ice-pick, and barely touched through the metal of the lid. Yes - it's inconsistent, and some holes are a tad larger than others.. but it works - and I'm able to used old salsa jars with their metal lids. I'd imagine that the larger pasta sauce jars would be just as good.

The advantage of drill is that it is easy to clean the inside of the lid when it gets moldy or dirty. With nail pricking, the inside of the lid has jagged spikes around the hole and you can't just use a cloth or sponge to clean it. If keeping the lids long term is not an issue than you can use a nail and just dispose of the lids when needed.

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lite tap on a finishing nail. multiple small holes seem to work better than fewer big holes. i have less dripping with temp changes.

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I have a very sharp ice pick (if it wasn't I would sharpen it...) and I put a piece of wood under the lid and push gently to barely poke a hole... repeat as you like with many or few holes. Few are nice for feeding in a dearth without setting off a frenzy. A lot are nice for getting them up to weight for winter.

Just a note to let you know what works for me. I took a piece of 5/8s plywood and cut two holes in the middle with a hole saw big enough for a quart jar lid. Big mouth. Put the holes far enough apart to be able to use two jars at a time or just leave one for ventilation. Put 1/8th screen over the holes. Then I pull the lid and inner cover off and put this on put and a hive body tall enough to to clear jars. I drill about 8 to 10 - 1/16th holes in canning lid , drill from the inside so that it will be smooth for them there. Put the lid on jar upside down. It will still hold 1 to 1 syrup. The reason to put the lid upside down is to get it closer to the screen for the bees to reach. Hope I explained this good enough. Works for me and I dont have to mess with them nasty girls while changing jars and I dont kill any this way. This is my invention and I havent got a patent on it yet. So if you use it please make copyright payments to me using the honor system. Ha. Harold

I have used nails and drill bits, I think I like the nails better. if you get to much flow you can hit it with a hammer and close the holes some. I also use 1/2 gal jars.I have a hose next to bee yard, and every time I add syrup I wash lid and jar.

I do like Michael Bush , except I use a hole saw cut out from the feeder putting Dowel into center hole and drawing * on top of lid, Punching from outside with a small tip ice pick., barely penetrating lid. If i'm feeding honey back from pint jar I only put 2 holes in two piece lid (canning Lid). I bought 750 white lids for Pints and quart jars for honey , so have plenty to make feeder lids.